Page 81 of Debts and Desires
“Actually, I was looking at Mac Jr.,” he said, nodding to the stuffed dog in front of us. I rolled my eyes again, but smiled.
“Asshole,” I joked, looking out at the view again. There was a warmth at my chin as he tugged my face to look back at him.
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Emogen,” he said, his voice low and gruff. He pushed a stray hair behind my ear as he spoke. I felt a blush creep into my cheeks at his words, my heart pounding in my chest. We sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle creaking of the Ferris wheel as it swayed.
At that moment, I felt more alive than I had in a long time. As if sensing the other, we both started to lean, our lips meeting softly at first and then more hungrily. He pulled me closer to him and I let out an involuntary moan.
“You keep makin’ sounds like that, and I’m gonna fuck you up here,” he said into my mouth. My hands had a mind of their own, running down his chest and on to his lap. He grabbed them and held them between us, a fire in those whiskey eyes.
“Emogen,” he warned, nose touching mine.
The carriage lurched into motion once more, and we pulled back again. Carter was blushing as much as I was. As we descended back to solid ground, I knew something had changed.
I was in love with Carter Black.
I think I had already fallen for him a while ago, hoping that what I felt was mutual.
I love him.
Every time I had the thought, it became more agonizing.
Ilovehim.
My chest ached. I wanted to tell him, but I was afraid ofscaring him away. Instead, I followed him to the already started concert.
We sat side by side on the lush grass, the vibrant colors of the stage lights dancing across everything. The music throbbed in the background, but all I could focus on was the heat of Carter’s body next to mine.
“One day that’ll be you,” he said, nodding toward the stage. I laughed before I could stop myself. “I’m serious, I’ve heard you.”
“I thought you said I was catapulting.”
“Caterwaulin’,” he laughed. “And you were, but I never said it was bad. Just wasn’t sure if I should’ve called nine-one-one or not.” I nudged him with my shoulder. Then I sighed and looked back on stage.
“You really think I can make it?”
“I do.” He paused. “Tell me about that contest again. Are you still gonna do it?”
“I don’t know.” I let out a breath as I explained more about the contest and the impending deadline. “I don’t have a good song line-up to submit. Even if I hadn’t missed the deadline for a live audition. I could send a video, but again I haven’t thought about songs. It would’ve been easier in person ‘cause at least then, I could’ve gotten a read on the room.” I paused, swallowing the forming lump in my throat. “It’s just not my time, and that’s okay.”
Carter said nothing as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a side hug, placing a kiss on top of my head.
“You’ll get there, Buttercup.”
As the final notes of the concert faded into the night, fireworks lit up the sky, painting the darkness with bursts of color and light. It was a breathtaking, a fitting end to a perfect cliché day.
Exhausted, I leaned against Carter as we made our way back to the truck. He carried Mac Jr., buckling the stuffed animal in the back.
As he drove us home, I was in a state of contentment. Resting my head against the window, I stole a glance at Carter, his strong profile outlined by the dim light. His eyes were focused on the road ahead, his left hand steady on the steering wheel and his right beside him. I reached out and held his free hand, smiling when he gave my fingers a little squeeze.
“Carter?” I spoke softly, breaking the silence. He glanced at me for a moment. “Thank you—for today, I mean. It was… amazing.” A warm smile spread across his lips, his eyes softening with affection.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Em. I had a great time, too.”
I decided to rest my eyes, my mind going a million miles an hour with everything I wished I could say to him. The rhythmic hum of the engine began lulling me into a peaceful slumber, but I fought it. There were so many things I wanted to talk about. I wished I could tell him what I needed to. Instead, I let the scenario play out in my mind.
“Carter?” I asked.
“Yeah?” I imagined him answering.
